Every year, on October 14th, World Standards Day honours the collaborative efforts of experts across the globe who develop and implement standards that drive societal progress. The Ukrainian Scientific Pharmacopoeial Center for Quality of Medicines is proud to play a pivotal role in this global effort by developing both documentary (State Pharmacopoeia of Ukraine, SPhU) and physical (SPhU reference standards) quality standards. Since 1998, in alignment with the Presidential Decree and Ukraine’s Strategy for Integration into the European Union, we have upheld this responsibility with unwavering commitment.
The standards we establish are relied upon by medicine developers, manufacturers, and quality control laboratories to ensure the safety and quality of medicines available on the market, fostering public trust in healthcare. Even in the face of the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war, the SPhU continues to advance, with our reference standards and metrological approaches gaining international recognition. Through our active cooperation with global partners, the Ukrainian Scientific Pharmacopoeial Center contributes not only to the improvement of domestic pharmaceutical quality but also to the development of Ukraine’s pharmaceutical sector and its standing on the world stage, safeguarding public health.
This vital progress, however, is only made possible by the expertise of highly qualified specialists in the field. Unfortunately, Ukraine faces a pressing shortage of pharmaceutical professionals, a challenge that is compounded by insufficient governmental attention to this issue. Alarmingly, in some cases, individuals lacking the necessary education and experience are appointed to critical positions, even replacing well-established scientists.
At the recent national conference with international participation, "Ukrainian Pharmacy – Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow", held on October 7-8, 2024, this issue was underscored. The event brought together specialists from the pharmaceutical industry, academia, and governmental bodies to discuss the future of pharmacy in Ukraine. A highlight of the conference was the opening plenary session delivered by Dr. Oleksandr GRYZODUB, a leading figure in Ukrainian pharmaceutical standardization and Director of the Ukrainian Scientific Pharmacopoeial Center from 2005 to 2024. Dr. Gryzodub's presentation on the Creation of the National System of Standardization of Medicines in Ukraine provided a comprehensive overview of the history, key milestones, and achievements of pharmaceutical standardization in the country.
Despite the challenges, the Ukrainian Scientific Pharmacopoeial Center for Quality of Medicines remains steadfast in its mission to uphold and enhance Ukraine's leadership in pharmaceutical standardization. Our ongoing efforts are essential to ensuring the continuous protection of public health and maintaining the quality and safety of medicines—both in Ukraine and beyond.
